THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION, BLAME IT ON BECKETT and More Set for Colony Theatre's 2012-13 Season

The Colony Theatre Company has announced its 2012 – 2013 season of shows. In this, its 38th season, the multi-Ovation Award-winning theatre company, for the first time in its history, will be bringing its subscribers and audiences six World, West Coast or Los Angeles premiere shows. The season includes a world premiere musical that looks at the life of lyricist Lorenz Hart - to a smack-down of biblical proportions in Savannah, Georgia; From a Hitchcock-ian style thriller to a behind-the-scenes look at a non-profit theatre; throw in a legendary Stradivarius violin and some Fiestaware and you have one of the company's most exciting seasons ever.

The 2012/2013 Colony Theatre Company Season:

Los Angeles Premiere!

THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION

Written by EVan Smith

June 16 - July 8, 2012 (Previews June 13 – 15)

When susceptible Catholic spinster Margaret politely admits perky Pentecostal evangelical Melissa into her home, her seemingly solid faith starts to waver – much to the chagrin of her feisty sister Mary. But who's the blasphemer and who's the believer? Before long, the God-fearing sisters have ambushed their steadfast "guest" with the aid of an unsuspecting, mild-mannered local priest, setting the scene for a hilarious smackdown of truly biblical proportions, as all of them discover the perils of using religion to bend others to your will.

West Coast Premiere!

BLAME IT ON BECKETT

Written by John Morogiello

August 11 – September 2, 2012 (Previews August 8 – 10)

What really goes on behind the scenes in non-profit theatre? Meet Jim Foley, a jaded, cynical Literary Manager with a penchant for caffeine and chaos. Into Jim's derelict lair steps Heidi Bishop, a bright-eyed, newly minted MBA who hopes to make the leap from box office to back office. At first she seems like Mary Poppins, but it turns out Eve Harrington would be more like it, as Heidi manipulates everyone around her to get what she wants. A wonderful comedy with heart and a message, the play asks the question how far are we willing to sacrifice our soul to get ahead? And once we have, was it worth it?

West Coast Premiere!

american fiesta

Written by Stephen Tomlinson

September 29 - October 21, 2012 (Previews September 26 - 28)

Can Fiestaware, that brightly colored Depression-era ceramic dinnerware, represent and illuminate the secrets of human relationships? Can it serve as a metaphor for political and ideological acceptance in the modern world, and bring civil, thoughtful discourse back to the dinner table? When an obsessive collector of vintage Fiestaware sets off in search of the perfect specimens, he finds some startling divides within his own family, as well as a surprising series of connections between residents of "red" and "blue" states. In his comedic cross-country travels, he ultimately finds hope and acceptance – as well as some fabulous serving bowls

WEST COAST PREMIERE! A TRUE STORY!

the morini strad

Written by Willy Holtzman

November 17 – December 16, 2012 (Previews November 14 - 16)

After a full and rewarding life as a world-renowned musician, aging Erica Morini inadvertently damages her legendary Stradivarius, a violin worth millions that accompanied her throughout her long career on the top concert stages of the world. It is an act akin to scratching the face of the Mona Lisa, so she secretly hires an unassuming but dedicated violin maker to restore her priceless instrument. At first she proves to be a difficult client, but the two develop an unexpected friendship over the instrument they both treasure in this inspired drama based on a true story that rocked the classical music world.

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE!

I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT

Written by Peter Colley

February 9 – March 3, 2013 (Previews February 6-8)

Sweet, vulnerable Jan has had a nervous breakdown. To help her recover, her husband Greg rents a remote cabin in the country. Their neighbor is a strange farmer who delights in telling gruesome ghost stories. Then Greg's beautiful, sophisticated sister arrives, and frightening events begin to occur. Is Jan still ill and imagining things? Is Greg trying to help her – or drive her crazy? Is The Farmer an ally or an enemy? And what's really going on with the sister? A classic thriller in the Alfred Hitchcock mode!

WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL!

FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE

Book by Mark Saltzman

Lyrics by Lorenz Hart

Music by Richard Rodgers

April 27 – May 19, 2013 (Previews April 24 - 26)

Lorenz (Larry) Hart was one of Broadway's all-time greats, the brilliant lyricist who penned "My Funny Valentine," "Blue Moon," "Manhattan," "Falling in Love With Love," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "Where or When," and countless other classics. As half of the legendary team of Rodgers and Hart, he lived a life of dizzying heights and crushing lows. Now Mark Saltzman (author of The Colony's smash hit Clutter: The True Story of the Collyer Brothers Who Never Threw Anything Out) captures them all in an intimate look at the life and times of this lyrical genius, a brand new musical developed by The Colony featuring some of the most memorable songs of the 20th Century.

The award-winning Colony Theatre Company was founded in 1975 as a 99-seat Equity-waiver theatre in Silver Lake. Over the years the company was so successful artistically, and built such a large subscriber base, that in 2000 it was able to move into a 270-seat theatre created for it by the City of Burbank, becoming one of only 5 mid-size professional theatres in the LA area that produce a year-round season of plays and musicals, and that employ actors under contract with Actors' Equity Association.

The theatre is located at 555 North Third Street, at the corner of Cypress, in the heart of the Burbank Media Center. For further information, call (818) 558-7000. Fax number: (818) 558-7110. E-mail: colonytheatre@colonytheatre.org. Or visit the website at www.colonytheatre.ORG.